Bird Treatment and Learning Center's Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

HPAI is a contagious disease that affects wild and domestic birds. HPAI is primarily spread via direct contact with the feces and/or oral secretions of infected birds. It is easily and rapidly transmitted and has a high mortality rate in some species.

HPAI is spreading across the country and we expect it to arrive in Alaska as migratory birds return.

Bird Treatment and Learning Center has developed a protocol to help prevent HPAI from entering the facility and possibly infecting our Ambassador Birds. Many rehabilitation centers have made the difficult choice to stop the intake of wild birds. At this time, Bird TLC is not planning on stopping the intake of wild birds. We will be closely monitoring the situation and will adjust our protocols as needed.

Click here to follow the course of HPAI with this distribution map from USGS.

If you have found a bird that appears to be sick or is dead and the cause is not apparent, do not handle the bird as it may have HPAI. Report the bird’s location to the Alaska Sick or Dead Bird Hotline at 1-866-527-3358.